A Midnight Rendezvous - the 32nd Psalm

Updated on November 24, 2016

Medium-format nitrate negative by Esther Bubley | Source

How to Classify This Poem?

I'm not sure how to classify this poem. it is definitely on the dark side but a little quirky. I guess you'll just have to read it and judge for yourself. I have a feeling you will either love it or hate it, but I welcome feedback in the comments.

UPDATE! I decided to submit this poem to the recent Wildsound Festival where it was read by a professional actor and published on YouTube. Please watch and listen to the video below. I hope you enjoy the reading.

Baffled!

I have always considered this poem perhaps the best I have ever written. There is a quite an interesting and controversial story told within the verse. The number and quality of comments also suggest it is one of my most highly prized works.

Why then, may I ask, is it continually losing its featured status? I have many other hubs with less frequent traffic that have never become defeatured. Maybe HubPages have a problem with the subject matter ... but that is for me to wonder about I guess.

Comments 116 comments

The 32nd Psalm has been given total approachability in your delightful poem. It is pointing toward direct lead coming to an end of " my ego " , allowing us to enter into the chamber of His presence . A search for happiness , 'blessedness ', healing ends here where the LOVE leads toward forgiveness to ourselves, the others, ultimately the gracious Father who's provision gives us chance to walk the path of righteousness trusting Him fully…

… boon…

Voted awesome and beautiful.

May the blessings follow you.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Michael for such a wonderful and encouraging comment. I appreciate the vote up as well. Blessings to you.

annart 2 years ago from SW England

Wow! This is an awesome and brave poem. It's a surprising look at forgiveness and confession. I always have a problem with seemingly committing a sin and knowing it's ok if we confess afterwards but I do understand the message in the psalm (which I had to look up!) and therefore in your poem.

This one is a few steps up from your usual poems, to say the least, and this is real class. I love your light-hearted poetry but this is sheer power and shows a huge talent.

Ann

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Wow Ann, what an incredible comment from someone as knowledgeable as yourself. I'm glad this one makes people stop and think and actually look up the psalm. Thank you so much for your compliment and encouragement.

annart 2 years ago from SW England

You're most welcome. You deserve it.

I don't think I'm particularly knowledgeable but that's kind of you. This just blew me away!

Ann

The Examiner-1 2 years ago

When read this John I did not see a dark side, to me it was more of a brief story. Maybe it was slightly quirky, but only slightly. The only part which threw me off was the lady going under the table, I felt that part did not fit. Otherwise I thought that it was fine. I voted up, shared and pinned it.

Kevin

billybuc 2 years ago from Olympia, WA

I like the dark side. I'm not sure what that says about me. LOL Captured perfectly, like one of those old film noirs from the 40s. Loved this, John.

annart 2 years ago from SW England

Sorry, forgot to share this; will do so now.

carrie Lee Night 2 years ago from Northeast United States

Awesome poem :) definitively your very best :). Thank you for sharing!

suzettenaples 2 years ago from Taos, NM

Wow! Several shockers in one poem. First, I thought you two would at least get a room, but the way you write it, makes the situation that much more sad and desperate. Then, the twist at the end when he turns out to be a preacher. But, the lesson is the best of all. No, we cannot judge anyone because we don't know their particular journey and we haven't walked in their shoes. Actually, I think this is a powerful poem that teaches quite a few lessons. Everyone, even preachers, need a 'release'. Now, I'm off to read Psalm 32. Brilliant poem! Voted up+ and shared.

suzettenaples 2 years ago from Taos, NM

Oh my goodness! I just re-read my comment and I don't mean you personally when I say 'you' in my comment. I meant the two people in the poem. Please forgive me!

bravewarrior 2 years ago from Central Florida

Wow, John! I had no idea that the midnight diner (who found some added relief - wink, wink) was a man of the cloth. Goodness. You just may need to say an extra Hail Mary after this one!

Brilliantly written my poetic genius.

RachaelOhalloran 2 years ago from United States

Well, this was different! The pictures you chose definitely brought the atmosphere you were looking for into your poem and I loved the Steve Bell video talking about his preacher father coming to his performance and of course, his song about the Psalm. Yes, your poem was different, but it is one more to add to your portfolio that shows your diversity as an artist, and that is what makes me appreciate you all that much more. Well done!

DDE 2 years ago from Dubrovnik, Croatia

Great work from you and so beautifully thought of.

Ericdierker 2 years ago from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A.

Far better than any picture,,, what you have painted here. For some weird reason when you wrote about hat to collar I saw a clerical collar. I feel this poem.

ocfireflies 2 years ago from North Carolina

John,

OMG OUTOFTHISWORLD WOW

one of the best poems ever

kudos for taking a chance and

just letting the ink flow

sharing all over the place

voted up as high as the tallest mountains

Kim

janshares 2 years ago from Washington, DC

Love it, love it, love it. I had to go run and read Psalm 32 for context before commenting. This is beyond brilliant, Jodah. Who can't relate to this? It reminds me of my poem hub about acting out behavior. Coincidentally, the hub I'm working on now touches on this subject to an extent. Your gift for writing had me on the edge of my seat with every stanza. You're good. No, you're great! Voted up, useful, awesome, beautiful, and interesting.

always exploring 2 years ago from Southern Illinois

I cannot imagine anyone not liking this. You nailed the meaning perfectly. This is absolutely amazing. Who are we to judge? A minister is a man, not above sin, as are we. Beautifully rhymed. I loved it. It depics another side of your writing. It is dark and foreboding, i hope you continue to write out of the box, you're a natural my friend....Shared on twitter....

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Bill, that comment means a lot coming from a master story teller like yourself. That is exactly the atmosphere I was trying to portray. This dark side is beginning to intrigue me more too, and I see a lot of creative scope for my writing in this genre.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Ann.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you for that wonderful comment Carrie. :)

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks for the Wow! Suzette and the vote up and share. I hope you enjoy Psalm 32 and see the connection. I appreciate your generous comment.. Have a great week.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

No worries, you are forgiven. Just say two Hail Mary's...

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Haha Shauna...I am full of surprises. Lucky I am not a Catholic or I'd be busy saying Hail Mary's for the rest of my life. Thanks for your kind words.

Faith Reaper 2 years ago from southern USA

Wow, as if that has not been stated enough here ... Wow! John, this is truly an exceptionally excellent poem. It may be one of your best. I love the stark realism here and your choice of black and white imagery at the beginning which adds to setting the stage. You are a true artist in every sense of the word. I like it when writers dare to go where maybe they have not gone before.

I really loved the cadence in this poem. I understand completely the use of Psalm 32. Not one of us is perfect and never will be, as we sin daily, and that is why our sweet Lord had to die on that cross for our past, present and future sins. Once we are saved, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that can take away our salvation. No one is too bad for the Lord to redeem. After having said that, we should pray that the fruit of the spirit, especially the fruit of self-control, is overflowing in us ... but no matter what, we are all sinners and no one can judge another.

Voted up ++++ tweeting, pinning, G+ and sharing

Have a great week ahead.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks so much Rachael, I didn't know how this would be taken among my fellow Christian friends, but so far it's been all positive. Glad you liked the photos and the Steve Bell video too. Did you notice the man's face in the window of the main pic?

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks very much DDE. I always appreciate you taking the time to read my hubs.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Eric, that's a great comment coming from a preacher man like yourself. When I mentioned the collar I was thinking that too.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks my dear Friend Kim for that amazing comment and the "OUTOFTHISWORLD" vote....haha. I seem to be taking more chances lately and writing more about the taboo...it feels good. Thanks for sharing and everything.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

What a wonderful comment Jan. How could I ask for more. I am glad you read Psalm 32 and agree it's message fits. Thanks for the vote up and I can't wait to read your upcoming hub.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Ruby, much appreciated. I have noticed both our writings gave taken a slight turn to the darker side of life recently. I enjoy the creative challenge of it. Thank you for sharing on Twitter as well.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Wow Faith a Reaper, what a wonderful comment that just adds even more to this hub. You summarised Psalm 32 brilliantly. I am so glad the cadence worked here. I wasn't sure it would. I actually had Poe's "The Raven" in my head at the start and tried to capture something of that style. Thanks for the votes, sharing and pinning etc.

MsDora 2 years ago from The Caribbean

My favorite kind of sermon is the kind that makes me want to go home and read or re-read the text the preacher referenced. You managed to preach that kind of sermon without preaching a sermon. The narrative in this poem, as well as the effect of you mentioning the psalm is off the chart! Exceptional!

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you MsDora, that kind of comment means so much, especially coming from you. My poem has obviously achieved all it's goals. :)

Faith Reaper 2 years ago from southern USA

Oh, I have always loved John Waite and The Babies : )

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Glad to hear that Faith, thanks for coming back.

Faith Reaper 2 years ago from southern USA

You did capture Poe's "The Raven's" essence and cadence as that is the poem I thought of while reading here.

FlourishAnyway 2 years ago from USA

John, this is out of this world fabulous with its twists and turns. I love the twenty dollar wife phrase and i like your allusions -- not too over the top. This is you bat work yet and quite a risk.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Loe your new profile pic.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Hi Flourish, thanks for reading and your kind comment. I thought it a bit risky but didn't want to go too over the top and tried to keep thing subtle so it passed Hub Pages censorship.

Gypsy Rose Lee 2 years ago from Riga, Latvia

Voted up and awesome. This was incredible. Passing this on.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Gypsy,

I appreciate that comment. Glad you enjoyed, and thanks for sharing.

travmaj 2 years ago from australia

It's a wow from me too John. I note your comment about keeping it subtle, not an easy task with the subject matter. I thought the subtle, almost laid back treatment worked well and made it quietly powerful.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Hey travmaj, thank you for that great comment. I am glad you found this poem effective at delivering its message.

fpherj48 2 years ago from Beautiful Upstate New York

Jodah....This is stunning.....You have a gift, my friend. I will confess, as your poem suggests....within the darkness, a Light shone through.....

Brilliant. Ohhhhh.. "James Dean"....the perfect choice.

Frank Atanacio 2 years ago from Shelton

Jodah you took the 32nd to a creative level... I second fpher.. brilliant :)

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you for reading fpherj48, and for the kind comment. Yes I thought JD was a good choice as well. I could visualise him as I was writing this.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks once again Frank for reading my hubs and your encouragement. Glad you liked this one.

CMHypno 2 years ago from Other Side of the Sun

Wow and how unexpected Jodah. I think much of the pain we suffer comes from having expectations of others. If we could all just accept each other in all our diverse behaviours and beliefs, we could all drop the masks and show our true selves to the world. None of us are perfect and if we actually did love unconditionally (rather than just talk about it!) not so many people would feel pushed out and judged.

AudreyHowitt 2 years ago from California

I like this darker side to your work John. There is a quirky edge to this and I tend to love the unexpected in poetry--

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank your for reading this CMHypno, and for your insightful comment. I wish everyone could have that point of view and the world would be a better place.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Hi Audrey, I appreciate your comment and have a feeling you may be seeing more of my dark side in future :)

Max Havlick 2 years ago from Villa Park, Illinois

Thanks for this fine piece of work, Jodah. Fay and I both agree on that.

It always seems to surprise a lot of people that ministers do the same things that everyone else does (which some people call "sins"). No wonder the Great Disconnect at Sunday church meetin', where ministers and hearers often appear not to understand each other.

But the good news, with so many well-informed people now on the job noticing forgiveness available to everyone, including ministers, it gives God a well-deserved break, an extra day off, so to speak. Thanks to the modern church's wide distribution of Hebrew and Christian sacred writings, He can rest now on both Saturday AND Sunday!

I loved how you wrote this and brought out the meaning on this Psalm. We are never out of God's reach, even when you have fallen from grace. Thanks for the inspiration and faith-building words.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you for taking the time to read this poem Max and for your insightful comment and words of encouragement. It means a lot coming from a writer as experienced and accomplished as yourself. You explained the essence of this poem perfectly.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks so much teaches. I am glad this poem was inspirational and faith-building. That was what I hoped for despite my somewhat unconventional approach. I thought it would have more effect, and it did get people to read the 32nd Psalm..even myself.

jhamann 2 years ago from Reno NV

What poetry Jodah! Fantastic how you spun the story and beautifully closed with such elegance. Jamie

Shyron E Shenko 2 years ago

Wow, awesome John, I am amazed, Voted up, UABI and shared. Amazing.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you so much Shyron. My only problem is that I don't know if I can match this one in future.

WillStarr 2 years ago from Phoenix, Arizona

Whoa! What a dark and dismal picture you word-paint of our many failings. Outstanding, Jodah.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Will, yes the world can be a dark place and the people in it far from perfect. Sometimes you have to show that side too. Appreciate you reading this.

Phyllis Doyle 2 years ago from High desert of Nevada.

Exceptional writing expressing the way it sometimes is in dark places. There are dark sides in life and it is easy to look away and not see that lonely souls have a way of finding each other.

Don't be concerned about "matching" or topping this one, Jodah. Just let it be and let it have its moment till the next best one comes along.

I appreciate the irony, the humanity and the reality in your poetic story. And I totally agree with these fine comments before me...

I 'll be writing you - thanks for your reply on your other hub.

Have a great weekend. Hugs, Maria

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Hi Maria, there is no prize for being the first to read a hub :) . I think it's really great to get a comment out of the blue on a hub where the comments seem to have died down. So thank you, Also thank you for the kind and wonderful comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Hope you have been having a great weekend too.

Eric Flynn 2 years ago from Providence, Rhode Island

You know you like a poem when you wish you wrote it. My favorite of yours.

EWF

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks Eric, that's a big compliment.

lambservant 2 years ago from Pacific Northwest

Wow. Look forward to reading more of your poetry.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you for reading this lambservant. Good to see a new face.

SandyMertens 2 years ago from Frozen Tundra

I really enjoyed the poem and the photos that you chose to go with it.

Jodah 2 years ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Sandy, your visit and kind comment are much appreciated.

Jackie Lynnley 21 months ago from The Beautiful South

I love this touch on poetry people generally shy away from and this is so well done. I use to have some like it here, I should put it back and shock a few more people huh? lol This is just a reminder of what a great poet you are and am sure glad I spotted you to get to enjoy it; for you do the very style I like too!

as always ^+

PegCole17 21 months ago from Dallas, Texas

Nicely done, John. Descriptive and dark it shines light on the human condition. Makes me want to republish my dark one too. Perhaps a blog page for the darkness in which we sometimes dwell.

Minnetonka Twin 21 months ago from Minnesota

Wow John-this piece of writing has everything: to me, it was flash fiction in a poem. I tend to thoroughly enjoy dark poetry. Fantastic twist at the end!

Jodah 21 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Hi Jackie, when you have the urge to write about a controversial subject you tend to toss it around in your head for awhile and sometimes decide it's better not to publish. I used to be like this but decided why write something that you are proud of and not let others see it. This is about the human condition and it is probably the poem of mine I like the most. It's funny all my 'darker' writing seems to evoke some sense of excitement at the outcome. You really should republish that poem of yours. I like to be shocked. Thanks for the vote up.

Jodah 21 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Peg, I find I need to intersperse my inspirational upbeat hubs with darker ones now and then. You need to display and feel a variety of emotions especially as a writer. Yes, it is about portraying the human condition. You shouldn't be afraid to publish some of your "darker" work here, but if you do set up a blog page please give me a link.

Jodah 21 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Hi Minnetonka, glad you enjoyed this poem. Yes to me it felt like a story in a poem too. I don't even know how I came up with the idea. I had listened to Edgar Allan Poe's "Raven" not long before, so had that going around in my head so the meter of this is similar, but who know what sparked the story line. I obviously have some weird stuff going around in my head. :)

Minnetonka Twin 21 months ago from Minnesota

LOL-the weird stuff is what helps the creative process. I so love Edgar Allan Poe. What a great piece to listen to get the creative juices flowing.

Hannah David Cini 20 months ago from Nottingham

I love this. I love midnight wanders and you captured it so beautifully. Voted up and shared.

Jodah 20 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks for reading Hannah David and for the kind comment. This is one of my personal favourites too.

Hannah David Cini 20 months ago from Nottingham

Great as a whole but the first 3 and last 3 verses. I am looking forward to reading more of your work.

Hannah David Cini 20 months ago from Nottingham

Sorry, I meant to edit my last comment because I pressed send to soon but my computer froze so I passed the five minute limit (bad IT night for me :). ). I meant to say I can understand why it's a favorite, it's great as a whole. I loved the first 3 verses especially because they remind me of when I used to live in London and had really bad insomnia so would go for walks round the suburbs in the early hours. It's like a completely different world at that time. I liked the last 3 a lot too, a really interesting twist. Sorry for the double post, I need to stop trying to work without coffee in my system.

Minnetonka Twin 20 months ago from Minnesota

I read this for the second time because I was so captivated the first time. I just love everything about it. Its' surprise ending, the flow and meter, and the powerful message in the poem. Wowsa. Sharing all over, voted up and hit all buttons except funny.

Hi Linda, it's a great compliment for a reader to revisit a hub. Thanks for sharing and voting up a second time. Much appreciated.

Matty Fernandez 20 months ago from Passaic, NJ

very nice!

Jodah 20 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Matty, much appreciated.

Jodah 18 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

I am resharing this hub because I submitted it to the recent Wildsound Festival where it was read by a professional actor and videoed. It is now on You Tube and I have added that video here at the top of the hub. I hope you enjoy the reading.

Jodah 18 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

I am resharing this hub because I submitted it to the recent Wildsound Festival where it was read by a professional actor and videoed. It is now on You Tube and I have added that video here at the top of the hub. I hope you enjoy the reading.

Sunshine625 18 months ago from Orlando, FL

Congrats! How exciting for you to have your poem read and displayed on YouTube for all to see! The actor displayed the emotions of your poem to a T. Fantastic poetry as always! :)

Jodah 18 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Sunshine. I am glad you enjoyed the reading. Yes, it is exciting. Much appreciated.

Shyron E Shenko 18 months ago

John, I thought of this the other day and could not remember the name of it, I wanted to tell a friend about it. It is awesome and interesting, voted that way and sharing this.

Jodah 18 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks for revisiting Shyron. I hope your friend likes it.

Shyron E Shenko 18 months ago

John, know my friend will like this. I enjoyed listening to you read this. It is really fantastic.

Jodah 18 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks Shyron.

Surabhi Kaura 16 months ago from Toronto, Canada

Beautifully written!

Jodah 16 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you Surabhi.

Billrrrr 13 months ago from Cape Cod

Blessed is the man who writes tomes every day; for his poetry lights the road to guide our way. John this is your finest work. I read the poem and then watched the Youtube video and immediately clicked the Share button to send it out to those with whom I share a Facebook connection. The work is flat out ten of ten. Now this leads me to another thing I have been meaning to talk to you about. My first audio book is coming out. It is an oral presentation of a book I wrote that sells between 30 and 80 e-book copies a month on Amazon and five or six paperbacks in the same period. I did some research on Audible and left a message on their site that I was looking for a narrator for my book. Within a day, a well known New York voice actor got back to me. He is producing the book at no cost to me. All I had to do was make the book's cover. He is doing all the rest including submitting the final work to Audible, Amazon and I-tunes. We are going to split the royalties evenly. He sent me a one minute audition and I was shattered !! !! It was so good. A week or two later he sent me the first 15 minutes just to make sure I liked it. The book is called The Creature From the Bridgewater Triangle. It's a collection of some of my historical fiction along with my sighting of a strange creature in an area called America's Bermuda Triangle, The Bridgewater Triangle. Check out Audible John. With your talent, I have no doubts that you will be able to develop something that could do very well. I am not sure how many audio books I will sell, but even if I only sell a few, it's going to be a huge treat for me to give copies to my grand kids at Christmas. PS....if you publish an audio book, I will read it and give it a stellar review.

Jodah 13 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks Bill, for that amazing comment and encouragement. I also felt this was perhaps the best poem I have ever written. I wrote a hub "You've Reached Your Writing Summit. Where to Now? Is the Only Way, Down?" after writing this. I felt I could never do better.

Wow, congratulations on getting that voice actor through audible and him doing it all for free. I may have to check them out. Do you think they would do a book of poetry or short stories though?

Billrrrr 13 months ago from Cape Cod

I don't know. But they probably have The Raven and similar works. It may be a small niche, but perhaps one that you could dominate. At any rate, I think it bears investigation. I am not even certain about the distribution channels but I imagine it to be world wide. I was also thinking you could do a book of short stories. I know short stories don't sell as well as novellas and novels, but I have a feeling that much of the audio listening is done in autos during commutes and trips and it seems to me that a short form piece will work better than one that drones on for 12 hours. That's what I am counting on in my book. It's more than a dozen complete short stories and articles. The reading (listening) time is four hours; but each chunk will take only about a half hour. Please let me know how you make out if you decide to get involved.

Jodah 13 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thanks for that info Bill. I know they distribute in Australia because my wife used to be subscribed to audio books through them. I'll let you know.

Nadine May 2 months ago from Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

What a great way to listen to your story poem. Very moving

Dana Tate 2 months ago from LOS ANGELES

Amazing doesn't begin to describe this poem. This is my favorite, hail to the king.

Jodah 2 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Thank you, Nadine. So glad you enjoyed the reading of my poem. Have a great day.

Jodah 2 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Dana, I couldn't ask for a better comment. This is probably my favourite too. Thanks for your continued support.

Michael-Milec 2 months ago

John, this is one those ever inspiring, nourishing a soul and uplifting the spirit.

I still don't think I have written anything to better this, others may disagree but that is how I feel. Glad you enjoyed it.

always exploring 2 months ago from Southern Illinois

I'm so glad Shyron shared this on the feed forum. I know I read it two years ago, but it's so good I had to read it again. Your words/ rhyme was like watching an old movie. I think this is your very best. I know it's dark, but life is dark sometimes, and you captured a lonely night and a chance meeting perfectly...

Jodah 2 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

Ruby, thank you for revisiting this hub as well. When I had the YouTube video made I had the option of having it made into a short film with real actors but I couldn't afford it. Would have been interesting though. I appreciate the kind comment.

ChitrangadaSharan 2 months ago from New Delhi, India

Excellent hub and the message is the best of all. We cannot and we should not judge anyone because we do not know about their journey and we have not been in their situation.

This is a powerful poem with a lesson for everyone. How exciting for you to have your poem read and displayed on YouTube. Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

Jodah 2 months ago from Queensland Australia Author

What a wonderful comment, Chitrangada. Yes, I was pleased that this poem seemed to convey my message "not to judge by appearances", and excited to have it read on YouTube. Have a great week.

Dan W Miller 8 weeks ago from Southern California now living in Phoenix

Wow, John I'm nearly speechless. The poem speaks directly to me (at least at this point in my life.) Your approach, presentation and in knowing a bit of you makes this borrowed piece all your's now. You own it. It is flawless.

I admit the noir imagery is what caught my eye and immediate attention and then to see it was you, my friend, well I just had to delve deeper.

What a thrill it must be to have displayed this for a competition and have other poets appreciate your talent makes me excited and proud FOR you.

Of course, we won't readily admit it, but to have others accept you is the normal and maybe the ultimate instinctive feeling of belonging - which we all crave. And just look at all the love in the many comments.

(Oh, and a hearty congrats on your Hubbie. Well deserved indeed.)

'Zilla

Jodah 8 weeks ago from Queensland Australia Author

Hey, Dan ('Zilla) thanks for such a generous comment. Yes, I was stoked to have this selected to be read by an actor at a festival and recorded. What did you mean by borrowed piece..the fact that I used Poe's Raven as a guide for the metre? I still feel this is one of my best works, as it seems do many others from the comments. Hope all is going great for you and I look forward to a new hub from you too.